University of Miami Homogenous Gender Norms Essay

no outside sources are permitted; only materials given.

In response to Mohantyàcaution regarding the problems of viewing Asian womenàlives through the lens of /mogenous’ender norms, we have been examining variation and change. That is, gender ideals are lived out by women in varying ways and gender norms change over time in response to multiple factors. Please write a 3 pages paper in which you demonstrate (using only materials) how gender constructs (ideals, norms, practices) change over time and/or in response to larger historical forces (ex., changing ideology, changing historical circumstances). To do this, you may focus on a single culture or may cross-compare. In describing change, you may also talk about conservativism and resistance to change. However, whatever you focus on, please be sure to situate what you are saying in terms of place and historical time period (rather than make broad generalizations about, say, ïmen in China.|/p>

Sample topics:

Generational change in Korea.

A comparison of generational change in: Korea/China; Korea/Japan; or China/Japan.

Changing ideas about motherhood in Korea or Japan, or a comparison of the 2.

A comparison of the impact of government ideology on changing norms for women in Meiji Japan and Communist China.

• An exploration of the ways women in Japan and/or Korea have made inroads into the workforce (i.e., how they have re-shaped ideals) and yet, ways in which they run up against barriers due to long lasting gender norms and attitudes.
• Important notes: 
• In making your argument, please be attentive to differences of culture and historical time period. You are NOT required to talk about all three cultures or to use all of our sources. This is your choice.
• There is no right answer to this question; rather, you will be evaluated in terms of how well you stake your claim and how well you back up your answer with evidence from our texts.
• Keep in mind this is not a research paper; it is designed to help you synthesize and make sense of the textbook, articles, and primary sources we have used in our class. Therefore, please do not do any research for your paper beyond the materials we have in our course.

It is also not an opinion piece, but a thesis paper. This means that you are showing something to be the case, rather than saying, “I think that…” or “My opinion is…”

Materials: 

• (2165) Movement in Thailand aims to help sex workers earn basic righ ts and protections – YouTube 

Please begin reading this work(Mohanty_Under Western Eyes), starting with pp. 333-346 (1-14 of the pdf): 

• (2165) The last samurai (scene)- I accept your apology – YouTube 
• (2165) Cuplikan film ( samurai terakhir ) – YouTube 

Please finish reading Chandra Talpade Mohanty’s article, pp. 346-354 (14-22 of pdf):